CharlotteAnne

We just got back and it was a wonderful trip! Our tour guide, Robyn, was great. Here are my tips in addition to want is in the Answer Book that you get before you leave home. You will need to take a flashlight because they have load shedding for 2 hours...it is tricky trying to take a shower! However, you can drink the water in South Africa! The electrical adapter plug you need is the one with two or three large round prongs. Robyn took us to Clicks (like Walgreens, etc.) and we found it there for about $3. Also, take some notebook paper for your visit to the Wisdom for Wildlife Trust in Zimbabwe. The kids were middle school age and read reports they had done! They were so smart! They need paper for future writings! The safari guides are tipped $5 and we didn't have that figured into our budget! You will see so many elephants in Botswana..it is so amazing! We didn't see rhinos until the last day in Kruger. Then, we saw nine together. Our guide was amazed, too!
Also, the airport in Jo'burg is really bad about going through your luggage. Don't put electronics or valuables in the checked luggage. In spite of all that, this trip is "the trip of a life time!"

CharlotteAnne

Hi, again...I was reading my post...change want to what...oops!

flgirl0817

CharlotteAnn,

I leave on the same trip on May 8th and it is great to hear that Vantage did such a wonderful job.

A couple of questions, how was the age range of the group, were there single people and were you split up into two groups?

When you went into Namibia, did you see the dunes? What restaurants did you go to in Cape Town? Do you have any recommondations? Also, how were the hotels, lodges?

Thanks so much.
Anita

atravelynn

Thanks for the hints you provided. Trip of a lifetime sums it up!

CharlotteAnne

There was a large age range with my group. We had a 24 year old, a girl in her mid 30's traveling with her dad, and another about that age traveling with her parents. We had several single men and women. We had several couples who were young retirees and a few in their 70's.
There were 38 of us and we weren't divided up. I didn't take the Namibia extension. However, I did go to the village and it was a really good visit. I just loved the children! We had a great guide for that. The hotel in Cape Town was next to the pier. The free hotel shuttle ran there every 30 minutes. The guide will take the group over and explain all the good places to eat. I don't remember where we ate. The hotels were all nice. The Beverly Hills had the best view! The lodges were fun with the monkeys and other wildlife all around!
I will try to check again to see if you have any other questions before you go!